Stackable interlocking tray system

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a stackable interlocking tray system. The stackable interlocking tray system may include a support assembly having a plurality of struts, a lower tray assembly including trays that are operatively coupled to the support assembly and configured to receive a second end of a plurality of the struts, and an upper tray assembly including trays that are operatively coupled to the support assembly and configured to receive a first end of a plurality of the struts. Each tray may define sidewalls that are configured to engage complementary side walls of adjacent trays.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO PRIORITY APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.62/108,981 for a “Stackable Interlocking Tray System” (filed Jan. 28,2015), which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This application generally relates to a tray system that allows aplurality of trays to be interlocked with one another and stacked invarious configurations.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, trays may be utilized as placement of shoes such as workboots. In this way, the tray may form a protective barrier between thefloor and objects (e.g., shoes) placed on the trays to reduce the chanceof unwanted dirt, water, or debris from such objects contaminating thefloor.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems (e.g., apparatuses)and methods for providing stackable interlocking trays, the systemincludes various configurations of upper and lower tray assemblies thatinclude one or more trays. The tray assemblies may be operativelycoupled to one another via a support assembly that includes one or morestruts. The present invention is advantageous because the stackableconfiguration allows for a reduction in space occupied by the trays.Furthermore, the design of the trays reduces the chance of unwanteddirt, water, or debris dripping from a tray onto a lower tray orsurface.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces a stackableinterlocking tray system that includes a support assembly having aplurality of struts, wherein each of the plurality of struts define afirst end and a second end. The stackable interlocking tray system alsoincludes an upper tray assembly having one or more first traysoperatively coupled to the support assembly. Each of the one or morefirst trays typically has a bottom surface having a plurality of lowerattachment locations configured to be coupled with the first end of oneof the plurality of struts. In addition, the stackable interlocking traysystem includes a lower tray assembly having one or more second traysoperatively coupled to the support assembly. Each of the one or moresecond trays may have a top surface having a plurality of upperattachment locations configured to be coupled with the second end of oneof the plurality of struts. Each of the one or more first trays mayinclude a plurality of sidewalls configured to be coupled with acomplementary sidewall of an adjacent one of the first trays.Additionally, each of the one or more second trays may include aplurality of sidewalls configured to be coupled with a complementarysidewall of an adjacent one of the second trays.

In one particular embodiment, each of the first trays may include afirst sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourthsidewall, the first sidewall being configured to be coupled with thesecond sidewall of a first adjacent one of the first trays, the secondsidewall being configured to be coupled with the first sidewall of asecond adjacent one of the first trays, the third sidewall beingconfigured to be coupled with the fourth sidewall of a third adjacentone of the first trays, the fourth sidewall being configured to becoupled with the third sidewall of a fourth adjacent one of the firsttrays.

In another particular embodiment, either alone or in combination withany of the foregoing embodiments, each of the second trays may include afirst sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourthsidewall, the first sidewall being configured to be coupled with thesecond sidewall of a first adjacent one of the second trays, the secondsidewall being configured to be coupled with the first sidewall of asecond adjacent one of the second trays, the third sidewall beingconfigured to be coupled with the fourth sidewall of a third adjacentone of the second trays, the fourth sidewall being configured to becoupled with the third sidewall of a fourth adjacent one of the secondtrays. The first sidewall may include a first hooking mechanismconfigured to be coupled with the second sidewall of the first adjacentone of the second trays, and the second sidewall may include a secondhooking mechanism configured to be coupled with the first sidewall ofthe second adjacent one of the second trays. Furthermore, the thirdsidewall may include a third hooking mechanism configured to be coupledwith the fourth sidewall of the third adjacent one of the second trays,and the fourth sidewall may be configured to be coupled with the thirdhooking mechanism of the third sidewall of the fourth adjacent one ofthe second trays.

In another particular embodiment, either alone or in combination withany of the foregoing embodiments, each of the lower attachment locationsmay include a female receptacle configured for receiving the first endof one of the plurality of struts. The female receptacle of each of thelower attachment locations may define a recess configured for receivingthe first end of one of the plurality of struts.

In another particular embodiment, either alone or in combination withany of the foregoing embodiments, each of the upper attachment locationsmay include a female receptacle configured for receiving the second endof one of the plurality of struts. The second end of each of theplurality of struts may include a plurality of protrusions, and thefemale receptacle of each of the upper attachment locations may define aplurality of slots, each slot being configured to receive one of theprotrusions of the second end of one of the plurality of struts.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces stackable interlockingtray that includes (i) a bottom surface, the bottom surface defining aplurality of lower attachment locations, each lower attachment locationbeing configured to be coupled with a first end of a strut, and (ii) atop surface, the top surface defining a plurality of upper attachmentlocations, each upper attachment location being configured to be coupledwith a second end of a strut. The stackable interlocking tray alsoincludes (i) a first sidewall, the first sidewall being configured to becoupled with a second sidewall of a first adjacent tray, (ii) a secondsidewall, the second sidewall being configured to be coupled with afirst sidewall of a second adjacent tray, (iii) a third sidewall, thethird sidewall being configured to be coupled with a fourth sidewall ofa third adjacent tray, and (iv) a fourth sidewall, the fourth sidewallbeing configured to be coupled with a third sidewall of a fourthadjacent tray.

In one embodiment, the first sidewall may include a first hookingmechanism configured to be coupled with the second sidewall of the firstadjacent tray, the first sidewall being configured to be coupled with asecond hooking mechanism of the second sidewall of the first adjacenttray, and the second sidewall may include a second hooking mechanismconfigured to be coupled with the first sidewall of the second adjacenttray, the second sidewall being configured to be coupled with a firsthooking mechanism of the first sidewall of the second adjacent tray.

In another particular embodiment, either alone or in combination withany of the foregoing embodiments, the third sidewall may include a thirdhooking mechanism configured to be coupled with the fourth sidewall ofthe third adjacent tray, and the fourth sidewall may be configured to becoupled with a third hooking mechanism of the third sidewall of thefourth adjacent tray

In another particular embodiment, either alone or in combination withany of the foregoing embodiments, each of the lower attachment locationsmay include a female receptacle configured for receiving a first end ofa strut. The female receptacle of each of the lower attachment locationsmay define a recess configured for receiving a first end of a strut.

In another particular embodiment, either alone or in combination withany of the foregoing embodiments, each of the upper attachment locationsmay include a female receptacle configured for receiving a second end ofa strut. The female receptacle of each of the upper attachment locationsmay define a plurality of slots, each slot being configured to receive aprotrusion defined by a second end of a strut.

The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed may beachieved independently in various embodiments of the present inventionor may be combined with yet other embodiments, further details of whichcan be seen with reference to the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described embodiments of the invention in general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective illustration of a stackable interlockingtray system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B depicts a perspective illustration of the stackable interlockingtray system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a top side perspective view of a portion of the stackableinterlocking tray system illustrated in FIG. 1A in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a bottom side perspective view of a portion of thestackable interlocking tray system illustrated in FIG. 1A in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a bottom side perspective view of a disassembled portionof the stackable interlocking tray system illustrated in FIG. 1A inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5A depicts an inverted rear view of a stackable interlocking trayin accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B depicts a top view of the stackable interlocking trayillustrated in FIG. 5A in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5C depicts a front view of the stackable interlocking trayillustrated in FIG. 5A in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5D depicts a side view of the stackable interlocking trayillustrated in FIG. 5A in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5E depicts a bottom view of the stackable interlocking trayillustrated in FIG. 5A in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 depicts two adjacent interlocking trays in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a strut in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 8A depicts a perspective view of two stacked trays in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8B depicts a side view of the two stacked trays illustrated in FIG.8A in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9A depicts an inverted exploded perspective view of the struts andthe top tray depicted in FIG. 8A in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 9B depicts an exploded perspective view of the two stacked traysdepicted in FIG. 8A in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9C depicts a cross-sectional view a strut coupled to the top traydepicted in FIG. 8A in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9D depicts a cross-sectional view a strut coupled to the bottomtray depicted in FIG. 8A in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 10A depicts a top view of a tray in accordance with an alternativeembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10B depicts a cross-sectional front view of the tray illustrated inFIG. 10A in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10C depicts a perspective view of the tray illustrated in FIG. 10Ain accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 11 depicts interlocking trays in accordance with an alternativeembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention now may be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all, embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, theinvention may be embodied in many different forms and should not beconstrued as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure may satisfy applicablelegal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

In one aspect, the present invention embraces a stackable interlockingtray system. In this regard, FIGS. 1-9 illustrate an exemplary stackableinterlocking tray system 100, and the various components thereof, inaccordance with the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B,the stackable interlocking tray system 100 includes, in general, threeassemblies: (1) a base or lower tray assembly 200 a, (2) an upper trayassembly 200 b, and (3) a support assembly 300 that operatively couplesthe upper tray assembly 200 b with the base tray assembly 200 a. Thevarious assemblies, and components thereof, of the stackableinterlocking tray system 100 of FIG. 1 are illustrated in FIGS. 2-9 anddescribed in further detail throughout this specification. In general,the lower tray assembly 200 a is located at the base of the stackableinterlocking tray system 100 and is configured to be implemented as thefoundation of a plurality of tray configurations. Although, it should benoted, that as used herein, the phrase stackable interlocking traysystem 100 may refer to at least one of the lower tray assembly 200 a orupper tray assembly 200 b. For example, in one embodiment, the stackableinterlocking tray system 100 may include only an upper tray assembly 200b that is upheld via the support assembly 300. To this extent, in suchan embodiment the support assembly 300 may function as the solefoundation of the upper tray assembly 200 b. In another embodiment, thestackable interlocking tray system 100 may include only a lower trayassembly 200 a. The components of the stackable interlocking tray system100 may be formed of polyurethane, rubber, plastic, metal, or anothersuitable material not explicitly mentioned herein.

The lower tray assembly 200 a may include one or more trays 202positioned at the base of the stackable interlocking tray system 100.The support assembly 300 may include one or more struts 302 that aresecurely positioned within a top surface of the one or more trays 202and extend vertically upward, from the lower tray assembly 200 a, in anupright orientation. The support assembly 300 (or additional componentswithin) is configured for supporting the general structure of thestackable interlocking tray system 100, and is further configured tooperatively couple the lower tray assembly 200 a to the upper trayassembly 200 b, which may include one or more trays 202 positioned atthe top of the stackable interlocking tray system 100. In this way, theone or more struts 302 may extend upward towards the upper tray assembly200 b, and be further securely positioned within a bottom surface of theone or more trays 202 of the upper tray assembly 200 b. Furthermore theupper tray assembly 200 b may be suspended above the lower tray assembly200 a in a horizontal orientation such that the lower and upperassemblies 200 b, 200 a are separated by a distance substantiallydefined by the height of the struts 302 of the support assembly 300. Itshould be noted that, as used herein, a tray 202 may be utilized ineither the lower or upper tray assembly, 200 a, 200 b, respectively. Assuch, any tray 202 within the lower tray assembly 200 a typically may beinterchanged with a tray within the upper tray assembly 200 b, and viceversa, and achieve the same functional effect within the stackableinterlocking tray system 100.

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate a tray 202 according to various embodimentsdiscussed herein. It should be noted that although in some embodimentsthe tray 202 is defined by a rectangular shape, the tray 202 may beembodied by other shapes that are not illustrated herein, including butnot limited to, squared, circular, trapezoidal, and/or organic or amebashapes. The tray 202 may generally include a top surface 202 a and abottom surface 202 b. The bottom surface 202 b may have a plurality ofindentations 203 therein. These indentations 203 may provide a rigidnesswithin the planar surface of the tray 202. The indentations 203typically extend into the bottom surface 202 b of the tray 203 such thatthey cause upward projections within the top surface 202 a of the traythat form ridges 209. It should be noted that although in someembodiments the indentations 203 and ridges 209 are defined by atrapezoidal shape, the indentations may be embodied by other shapes thatare not illustrated herein, including but not limited to, squared,circular, rectangular, and/or organic or ameba shapes. In otherembodiments, the bottom surface 202 b may lack indentations 203, but thetop surface 202 a may nevertheless define ridges 209.

The tray may further include a left side wall 204 a, right side wall 204b, rear side wall 204 c, and front side wall 204 d that extend upwardfrom the bottom surface of the tray 202 b. Furthermore, the front end ofthe left and right sidewalls 204 a, 204 b, respectively, may be angledsuch that the front end of the left and right sidewalls 204 a, 204 b isslanted downward and outward towards the front wall 204 d of the tray202.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5E, the tray 202 is typically configured to becoupled to one or more struts 302 for the purpose of stacking the lowerand upper tray assemblies 200 a, 200 b, on top of one another.Accordingly, the top and bottom surfaces of the tray may define aplurality of attachment location each of which is configured to becoupled with a strut. By way of example, the tray 202 may furtherinclude an upper receptacle region 205 and lower receptacle region 206that lie along the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the left,right, and rear side walls 204 a, 204 b, 204 c of the tray 202. Theupper receptacle region 205 may further include a plurality of upperfemale receptacles 205 a configured to receive a second male end 304 bof a strut 302 such that the strut is coupled to the top surface of thetray 202. Each upper female receptacle 205 a may be further defined by aplurality of slots 205 b (e.g., two slots) within the receptacle region205 that are positioned such that they are parallel to one another.These slots 205 b are typically configured to receive correspondingprotrusions on a second male end 304 b of a strut 302. As illustrated inFIG. 5B, the tray 202 includes a first upper female receptacle 205 alocated at the front left side of the upper receptacle region 205, asecond upper female receptacle 205 a located at the rear left side ofthe upper receptacle region 205, a third upper female receptacle 205 alocated at the front right side of the upper receptacle region 205, anda fourth top female receptacle 205 a located at the rear right side ofthe upper receptacle region 205. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, thetray 202 may be configured to receive four (4) struts 302 within thefirst, second, third, and fourth upper female receptacles 205 a. Thelower receptacle region 206 may further include a plurality of lowerfemale receptacles 206 a configured to receive a first male end 304 a ofa strut 302 such that the strut 302 is coupled to the bottom surface ofthe tray 202. Each lower female receptacles 206 a typically defines arecess for receiving a first male end 304 a of a strut 302. Asillustrated in FIG. 5E, the tray 202 includes a first lower femalereceptacle 206 a located at the front left side of the lower receptacleregion 206, a second lower female receptacle 206 a located at the rearleft side of the lower receptacle region 206, a third lower femalereceptacle 206 a located at the front right side of the lower receptacleregion 206, and a fourth lower female receptacle 206 a located at therear right side of the lower receptacle region 206. Accordingly, in suchan embodiment, the tray 202 may be configured to receive four (4) struts302 within the first, second, third, and fourth female receptacles 206a.

Each tray assembly may be formed from a plurality of adjacentinterlocking trays. Accordingly, each of the sidewalls of the trays 202is typically configured to be coupled with a complementary sidewall ofan adjacent tray 202. In this regard, a tray assembly may include trays202 that horizontally interlock along axis X illustrated in FIG. 1.Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5E, each tray 202 may define lateralside attachment regions 207 a, 207 b along the exterior edges of theleft and right side walls 204 a, 204 b. Each lateral side attachmentregion 207 a, 207 b typically defines at least one hooking and/or claspmechanism configured to engage a lateral side wall (e.g., a left orright side wall 204 a, 204 b) of an adjacent tray 202. As illustrated inFIG. 5B, the tray 202 includes a first attachment region 207 a locatedat the exterior edge of a rear portion of the left side wall 204 a, anda second attachment region 207 b located at the exterior edge of a frontportion of the right side wall 204 b. In such an embodiment, the tray202 may be configured to interlock with another tray 202 on both itsleft and right sides, and so the outermost edges 208 of the left andright side wall 204 a, 204 b may be sized and shaped such that the edges208 are configured to be coupled to the lateral side attachment regions207 a, 207 b to interconnect adjacent trays 202 (e.g., such that thetrays 202 are securely attached to one another). By way of furtherexplanation, a lateral side attachment region 207 b along a right sidewall 204 b of a first tray 202 may engage a left side wall 204 a of asecond tray 202, and a lateral side attachment region 207 a along theleft side wall 204 a of the second tray 202 may engage the right sidewall 204 b of the first tray 202. In this regard, as shown in FIG. 6, atleast a portion of the interlocked trays 202 typically overlap oneanother such that at least a portion of the attachment regions 207 a,207 b extend upward into the bottom surface of an adjacent tray.

Each tray assembly may also include trays 202 that horizontallyinterlock along axis Y illustrated in FIG. 1. Accordingly, as shown inFIGS. 5A-5E, the front side of each tray 202 may be configured to becoupled to a rear side of an adjacent tray, and the rear side of eachtray 202 may be configured to be coupled to a front side of an adjacenttray. The rear side wall 204 c of each tray 202 may define a rearattachment region 207 c that is configured to be coupled with the frontside wall 204 d of an adjacent tray 202. In this regard, the rearattachment region 207 c typically defines at least one hooking and/orclasp mechanism configured to engage the front side wall 204 d of anadjacent tray 202. The rear attachment region 207 c may extend along thelength of the rear side wall 204 c of each tray 202. In such anembodiment, the tray 202 may be configured to interlock with anothertray 202 on both its front and rear sides, and so the front side wall204 d of each tray 204 may be sized and shaped to engage the rearattachment region 207 c of an adjacent tray 202 (e.g., such that thetrays 202 are securely attached to one another). In this regard, thefront side wall 204 d of a particular tray may engage a hookingmechanism of the rear attachment region 207 c of an adjacent tray sothat the rear attachment region 207 c of the adjacent tray overlaps thefront side wall 204 d and extends downward into the top surface of theparticular tray.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrates a strut 302 according to various embodimentsdiscussed herein. It should be noted that although in some embodimentsthe strut 302 is defined by a rectangular shape, the strut 302 may beembodied by other shapes that are not illustrated herein, including butnot limited to, squared, cylindrical, trapezoidal, and/or organic orameba shapes. The strut 302 may generally include an inner surface 302 aand an outer surface 302 b having an indentation 303 therein. Generally,the struts 302 may be embodied by any individual members that can becoupled with a tray 202 using a fastener and/or another suitablecoupling mechanism (e.g. a snap fit, screw, or the like). Typically, thestrut 302 includes a first male end 304 a that is configured to engage alower female receptacle 206 a of a tray 202 in order to couple the strut302 to the bottom surface 202 b of such tray 202. When engaged, thefirst male end 304 a and a lower female receptacle 206 a of a tray 202may form a snap fit that securely couples the strut 302 to such tray202. FIG. 9C depicts the first male end 304 a engaging a lower femalereceptacle 206 a of a tray 202. The strut 302 typically also includes asecond male end 304 b that is configured to engage an upper femalereceptacle 205 a of a tray 202 in order to couple the strut 302 to thetop surface 202 a of such tray 202. As depicted in FIG. 7A, the secondmale end 304 b may define protrusions 304 c (e.g., parallel protrusions)that engage corresponding slots 205 b of an upper female receptacle 205a of a tray 202. These protrusions 304 c may form a snap withcorresponding slots 205 b of an upper female receptacle 205 a of a tray202 to securely couple the strut 302 to such tray 202. In this regard,FIG. 9D depicts the second male end 304 b engaging an upper femalereceptacle 205 a of a tray 202. As shown in FIGS. 8A-8B and 9A-9B, inthis way, the first male end 304 a of a strut 302 may be coupled to abottom surface 202 b of a tray 202 of an upper tray assembly 200 b, andthe second male end 304 b of the strut 302 may be coupled to a topsurface 202 a of a tray 202 of a lower tray assembly 200 a. Typically,multiple struts 302 (e.g., four struts) are used couple two trays 202together as depicted in FIGS. 8A-8B and 9A-9B.

An alternative embodiment of the interlocking tray system is depicted inFIGS. 10A-10C and 11 in which an interlocking tray system 400 includes asingle tray assembly 400 a. In such an embodiment, each tray 402typically is configured to be coupled to one or more additional traysfor the purpose of horizontally expanding the tray assembly 400 a.Typically, each side wall 404 a, 404 b, 404 c, 404 d of the tray 402 isconfigured to engage a complementary side wall of an adjacent tray 402.As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the right side wall 404 b and the frontside wall 404 d may each define a coupling mechanism 407 (e.g., ahooking and/or clasp mechanism) along their exterior edges. The couplingmechanisms 407 of the right side wall 404 b and the front side wall 404d are typically configured to engage, respectively, a left side wall 404a and a rear side wall 404 c of adjacent trays 402. In this regard, thecoupling mechanisms 407 may be sized and shaped to overlap acomplementary side wall (e.g., a left side wall 404 a or a rear sidewall 404 a of an adjacent tray) and extends downward into the topsurface of an adjacent tray. The top edges of the left and rear sidewalls 404 a, 404 c may be sized and shaped such that the edges of theseside walls are configured to be positioned within the couplingmechanisms 407 of the right front side walls 404 b, 404 d, respectively,to interlock one or more trays 402 such that the trays are securelyattached to one another. Accordingly, in such an embodiment, the tray402 may be configured to interlock with another tray 402 on multiplesides. FIG. 11 illustrates the corners of four different trays 402 beingconnected together. The tray 402 may form ridges similar to those on thetrays 202 illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. In contrast with the trays 202illustrated in FIGS. 1-9, the trays 402 might not be configured to beattached to a strut for the purpose of vertically expanding the traysystem 400.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other changes,combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition tothose set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, andcombinations of the just described embodiments can be configured withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it isto be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Also, it will be understood that, where possible, any of the advantages,features, functions, devices, and/or operational aspects of any of theembodiments of the present invention described and/or contemplatedherein may be included in any of the other embodiments of the presentinvention described and/or contemplated herein, and/or vice versa. Inaddition, where possible, any terms expressed in the singular formherein are meant to also include the plural form and/or vice versa,unless explicitly stated otherwise. Accordingly, the terms “a” and/or“an” shall mean “one or more,” even though the phrase “one or more” isalso used herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stackable interlocking tray system, the systemcomprising: a support assembly comprising a plurality of struts, whereineach of the plurality of struts define a first end and a second end; anupper tray assembly comprising one or more first trays operativelycoupled to the support assembly, each of the one or more first trayshaving a bottom surface comprising a plurality of lower attachmentlocations configured to be coupled with the first end of one of theplurality of struts; and a lower tray assembly comprising one or moresecond trays operatively coupled to the support assembly, each of theone or more second trays having a top surface comprising a plurality ofupper attachment locations configured to be coupled with the second endof one of the plurality of struts; wherein each of the one or more firsttrays comprises a plurality of sidewalls configured to be coupled with acomplementary sidewall of an adjacent one of the first trays; whereineach of the one or more second trays comprises a plurality of sidewallsconfigured to be coupled with a complementary sidewall of an adjacentone of the second trays.
 2. The stackable interlocking tray system ofclaim 1, wherein each of the first trays comprises a first sidewall, asecond sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall, the firstsidewall being configured to be coupled with the second sidewall of afirst adjacent one of the first trays, the second sidewall beingconfigured to be coupled with the first sidewall of a second adjacentone of the first trays, the third sidewall being configured to becoupled with the fourth sidewall of a third adjacent one of the firsttrays, the fourth sidewall being configured to be coupled with the thirdsidewall of a fourth adjacent one of the first trays.
 3. The stackableinterlocking tray system of claim 1, wherein each of the second trayscomprises a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a third sidewall, and afourth sidewall, the first sidewall being configured to be coupled withthe second sidewall of a first adjacent one of the second trays, thesecond sidewall being configured to be coupled with the first sidewallof a second adjacent one of the second trays, the third sidewall beingconfigured to be coupled with the fourth sidewall of a third adjacentone of the second trays, the fourth sidewall being configured to becoupled with the third sidewall of a fourth adjacent one of the secondtrays.
 4. The stackable interlocking tray system of claim 3, wherein:the first sidewall comprises a first hooking mechanism configured to becoupled with the second sidewall of the first adjacent one of the secondtrays; and the second sidewall comprises a second hooking mechanismconfigured to be coupled with the first sidewall of the second adjacentone of the second trays.
 5. The stackable interlocking tray system ofclaim 3, wherein: the third sidewall comprises a third hooking mechanismconfigured to be coupled with the fourth sidewall of the third adjacentone of the second trays; and the fourth sidewall is configured to becoupled with the third hooking mechanism of the third sidewall of thefourth adjacent one of the second trays.
 6. The stackable interlockingtray system of claim 1, wherein each of the lower attachment locationscomprises a female receptacle configured for receiving the first end ofone of the plurality of struts.
 7. The stackable interlocking traysystem of claim 6, wherein the female receptacle of each of the lowerattachment locations defines a recess configured for receiving the firstend of one of the plurality of struts.
 8. The stackable interlockingtray system of claim 1, wherein each of the upper attachment locationscomprises a female receptacle configured for receiving the second end ofone of the plurality of struts.
 9. The stackable interlocking traysystem of claim 8, wherein: the second end of each of the plurality ofstruts comprises a plurality of protrusions; and the female receptacleof each of the upper attachment locations defines a plurality of slots,each slot being configured to receive one of the protrusions of thesecond end of one of the plurality of struts.
 10. A stackableinterlocking tray, the tray comprising: a bottom surface, the bottomsurface defining a plurality of lower attachment locations, each lowerattachment location being configured to be coupled with a first end of astrut; a top surface, the top surface defining a plurality of upperattachment locations, each upper attachment location being configured tobe coupled with a second end of a strut; a first sidewall, the firstsidewall being configured to be coupled with a second sidewall of afirst adjacent tray; a second sidewall, the second sidewall beingconfigured to be coupled with a first sidewall of a second adjacenttray; a third sidewall, the third sidewall being configured to becoupled with a fourth sidewall of a third adjacent tray; and a fourthsidewall, the fourth sidewall being configured to be coupled with athird sidewall of a fourth adjacent tray.
 11. The stackable interlockingtray of claim 10, wherein: the first sidewall comprises a first hookingmechanism configured to be coupled with the second sidewall of the firstadjacent tray, the first sidewall being configured to be coupled with asecond hooking mechanism of the second sidewall of the first adjacenttray; and the second sidewall comprises a second hooking mechanismconfigured to be coupled with the first sidewall of the second adjacenttray, the second sidewall being configured to be coupled with a firsthooking mechanism of the first sidewall of the second adjacent tray. 12.The stackable interlocking tray of claim 10, wherein: the third sidewallcomprises a third hooking mechanism configured to be coupled with thefourth sidewall of the third adjacent tray; and the fourth sidewall isconfigured to be coupled with a third hooking mechanism of the thirdsidewall of the fourth adjacent tray.
 13. The stackable interlockingtray of claim 10, wherein each of the lower attachment locationscomprises a female receptacle configured for receiving a first end of astrut.
 14. The stackable interlocking tray of claim 13, wherein thefemale receptacle of each of the lower attachment locations defines arecess configured for receiving a first end of a strut.
 15. Thestackable interlocking tray of claim 10, wherein each of the upperattachment locations comprises a female receptacle configured forreceiving a second end of a strut.
 16. The stackable interlocking trayof claim 16, wherein the female receptacle of each of the upperattachment locations defines a plurality of slots, each slot beingconfigured to receive a protrusion defined by a second end of a strut.